Operator`s manual

64 Oil System
Synthetic Lubrication
Synthetic oils are offered as an alternative
to the traditional, petroleum based oils for
engines. These oils may be used in Volvo
engines, provided they meet the quality
levels specified on the previous pages, that
is: VDS-2, API CI-4, EO-N Premium Plus.
Product information about synthetic oil
should be reviewed carefully. Their use
does not permit an automatic extension on
recommended oil change intervals.
The ability to protect the engine is better
in some ways compared with petroleum
based oils but its lifetime in the engine is
the same. This is because of the combustion
by-products that contaminate the oil. These
contaminates will make the change intervals
the same as for petroleum based oils. The
use of synthetic oils does not permit the
extension of the recommended oil change
intervals.
Synthetic oils offer improved low
temperature flow properties and high
temperature oxidation resistance. They are
generally more costly than petroleum based
oils. However, in extreme driving conditions,
that is, in extreme cold or in desert operation,
a synthetic oil may be the only choice for
the application (see next page regarding oil
viscosity).